Last chance to vote

Written By: - Date published: 11:36 am, November 17th, 2014 - 67 comments
Categories: Andrew Little, david parker, grant robertson, labour, Nanaia Mahuta - Tags:

Andrew Little

Many of the authors of the Standard have expressed their opinions on who they think should be the next leader of the Labour Party.

Mike Smith chose David Parker.  Geoff supported Andrew Little as does Stephanie Rodgers and lprent.  Bill supported Nanaia Mahuta.  Ben Clark supported Grant Robertson.  Apologies if he has but I don’t think that Anthony R0bins has expressed a final opinion as yet.

I voted a while ago and I will surprise nobody by confirming that I voted Andrew Little 1 and Nanaia Mahuta 2.  The decision making process was fairly easy although Nanaia made it tougher by conducting herself in a very dignified way and by campaigning very effectively.  I was impressed by her informal campaign in 2011 with David Cunliffe and she has shown recently that this was no fluke.  There is a decency about Nanaia as well as a keen intelligence that deserves her continuing to have a senior role in the Labour Party.

Why did I vote for Andrew?

I am concerned at how Caucus has functioned over the past few years and I believe this needs to change.  Andrew impresses me as being someone who will be able to achieve this change.  His background with the EPMU and the party equip him well for what is needed to make Labour succeed.  And I have been really impressed with his performance.  He speaks with a passion and a determination that can inspire.  And he is quite unique as a politician in that his ego is small.  He is the candidate who has been in politics for the shortest period of time and the one who has the greatest potential for improvement.

My third preference went to David Parker.  My dealings with him have always been cordial and civilised.  He has a very keen mind and will be an important member of any future Labour Government.

And as a reminder …

Only Labour Party members and affiliates can vote in the election.  New members must have joined before 11.59pm Wednesday October 1 (the day after the Leadership Election was triggered).  Unfinancial members (anyone who has been a Labour Party member in the past three years and who has not paid a membership fee in 2014) must have rejoined before November 12, 2014.

Voting closes 12 noon Tuesday November 18, 2014.

If you have not received a voting form and want to update your email address you can email reception@labour.org.nz to ensure that your email address is on file.

If you have any questions, you can email the team at leadershipelection@labour.org.nz.

Edit: Bill has suggested to me that his post was a comment on who would be most able to counter the inevitable attacks from the right if all else was equal rather than a straight endorsement of Nanaia and he is right.  I missed the subtlety of what he wrote first time.  Apologies to him.

67 comments on “Last chance to vote ”

  1. Tracey 1

    according to mike williams it is a lottery.

    I cant imagine hooton publicly making a statement about a leadershop contest without tapping some shoulders and insiders in the know.

    Williams needs to stop doing the rnz spot. Today he almost did, by mainly sitting listening to hooton and ryan discuss stuff.

    • mickysavage 1.1

      You can guarantee that the right has a strategy to undermine whoever is elected as leader and it will start to be rolled out at about 5 minutes after the decision is made.

      • Skinny 1.1.1

        Considering it’s 3 years till the next election it doesn’t matter what the Right-Wing has to say about the new leader. And whoever wins needs to say very little and beaver away restructuring the party so it’s fit to fight for the next election. Things like shuffling Cosgrove and others along. The formation of an offshoot party (Labour-Maori) that can win a seat and pull enough party votes, including previous non voters to bring in 2 more seats.

        Here is a new idea that I have which should get voters infused for the next election. In certain Electorate seats a primary contest amongst Labour, Greens & NZF for the right to be sole electorate candidate to go up against the National candidate. Far too many seats National have been spoilt by previously having vote splitting, a combined strategy to ‘contest’ the seat with one main cross party endorsed candidate is the way to go.

        • ghostwhowalksnz 1.1.1.1

          Oh yes it does.

          All the good work can be undone in the public perception by a well organised tory smear machine.
          Worked for them before , likely to work again.

          Im not talking about the upfront attacks , its the behind the scene deals where so called opinion leaders are hi jacked and repeat smears from Farrar and Slater and co.

          • Skinny 1.1.1.1.1

            Really unless the Left change tactics and try new ideas we are holding out on the public to want a change of Government. New thinking on our future, however the team needs refreshing, this is the problem and is why a Left bloc is the better option.

        • Clemgeopin 1.1.1.2

          What a novel idea!
          Worth investigating as to how such a n electorate seat contest could be held and in which sort of electorates it would be worth doing and if it is worth doing at all. Need to consider the pros and cons.
          Personally I think it will be worth doing so in a few marginal/crucial seats as an experiment in MMP. I also wish that the coat-tailing is removed and the threshold reduced to 4% or even better, 3%, as it will give a fairer democratic representaton to voters, such as the Conservatives and the Internet-Mana.

          • Skinny 1.1.1.2.1

            Why thanks Clem, I ran it by one of the leader contenders who thought it was a great idea and got quite animated about the possibilities.

            Marginal seats is the obvious benefit, however it could impact on a number of not so close seats by getting new voting members for all the party’s contesting the primary. The hype of such a contest would engage the electorate. You could add a number of dimensions like the candidate that wins agrees to drop from a party list in an all or nothing approach. The coalition partners could stand (do deals) talented candidates in some electorates to ensure they win seats.

      • Tracey 1.1.2

        o lay their plans. At least little has put in writing an acknowledgement of the problem

      • mac1 1.1.3

        And for that single and inevitable reason, no matter that I voted differently from whoever, and whatever the outcome, we must be seamless in our unity behind the leadership.

        Any thing else is undemocratic, divisive and intolerable.

        But mostly, useless, and counter-productive.

      • sheryn 1.1.4

        yep

      • You can intuit plenty of that from the table DPF has copy-pasted into his latest …

        http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2014/11/assessing_the_labour_leadership_candidates.html

        (Warning: comments full of the usual sexist/homophobic/anti-left stuff)

      • Almost the same as you Micky ,however mine is in reverse .First Nanaia then Andrew. However rest asured who ever wins will have my full support I want to see a Labour Government before I fall of the perch and 83 im near the edge and we will only have victory if we are all and I mean all fully united , The old Socialist motto Divided we fall United we win go to it members we have a job ahead .

      • marie 1.1.7

        + 100

    • Chooky 1.2

      +100 Tracy…i think rnz should get rid of Hooton as well …they should have a DIFFERENT panel of EXPERTS on every week from both the Left and the Right

      …if they are talking about education lets have some real experts on

      ….at the moment we only hear Hooton’s spin…and with no effective opposition from Mike Williams or Kathryn Ryan …Williams is a Hooton Mini-Me

      ….and Hooton thinks he is the expert on everything ….from what is going on in education , employment law, unions, international matters …to what is wrong with the Greens, why they should be in coalition with Nactional …to what is wrong with Labour, leadership issues and David Cunliffe ( that went on for f..king ages), he talks up John Key with one or two exceptions on minor matters….

      …imo …the progamme is increasingly one of disinformation, spin, no real debate and dialogue or indepth analysis

      …..a monologue from Hooton…broadcast on NZ public radio …..increasingly nauseating

      ( sorry this rave should probably be on Open Mike)

      • tc 1.2.1

        Hooton and a complaint RNZ is part of the 2 track strategy so get used to him and DPF getting plenty of airtime.

        ‘….the progamme is increasingly one of disinformation, spin, no real debate and dialogue or indepth analysis…’ Yup working as designed for awhile now.

        • Tracey 1.2.1.1

          if they have to have it… get someone

          a. from the left
          b. who will speak for the left

          listening to hi., when he does pipes upi have no idea who williams might have voted for.

      • marie 1.2.2

        I think it’s going too far to call Mike Williams a Hooton mini-me but I have thought for some time that he no longer represents an effective alternative position. Of course, Radio NZ is willing to have extreme right wing views expressed on it’s shows all the time, Hooton, L’estrange-corbet, Graham Bell etc, etc,etc. However, as soon as someone like Bomber Bradbury expresses left wing views, he must be removed from the show forever. Of course, we can look forward to Paul Henry on radio and TV joining the other impartial media that are there at present, Hosking, Plunket, Smith and Garner to name just a few. If we can just encourage TV3 in their endeavour to water down that biased John Campbell our democracy will be truly safe.

  2. Atiawa 2

    I hope you are right. He also has great compassion for others and is able to see the good in us all. If your preference for Andrew is shared by the majority of eligible voters I believe we will have a worthy and able leader, capable of capturing the attention of voters.
    He will of course be attacked for not winning an electoral seat and for his union affiliations. Which may mean that he won’t enjoy much of a honeymoon, however I see that as a positive because once he gets his feet under the table he will build a momentum that will be hard to deny.

    • Jenny Kirk 2.1

      Its odd but I haven’t seen anyone attack Parker for not winning an electoral seat.
      Does this mean that List-only candidates are protected from this particular type of attack ? ?

      • Anne 2.1.1

        No, it means they consider Andrew Little to be more of a threat to the National Govt. than David Parker.

      • Atiawa 2.1.2

        Who Knows Jenny? All will be revealed within the next 48 hours. What I do know is Jonathan Young doubled his 2011 majority last election which is an obvious area for an attack by National. Oh, and Andrews mum is a known previous supporter of New Plymouth National candidates. Don’t believe they haven’t a script written for that as well. Of course John Key’s mum had the benefit of living in a state house kindly provided by a progressive caring Labour government. Surely she would have supported a Labour government during those times? There would not have been to many alternatives for her other than private rental’s, but would they have given little Johnny the security & continuity a state house provides? Unlikely.

        • ghostwhowalksnz 2.1.2.1

          Ever heard of electoral boundary changes, its also the main reason why Napier flipped.

          New Plymouth added a big chunk of rural area around to Opunake

          • Atiawa 2.1.2.1.1

            Insignificant Phantom.

            17% of employees in New Plymouth have their occupation listed as “manager”. (Per head of the nations working population the highest in NZ).
            The province is the “Energy” capital of the country and along with dairy farming is a major contributor to the countries GDP. Taranaki was the governments “good news” story.
            The fear of a Labour/Greens coalition put oil & gas exploration & dairy farming at risk.
            What do you think was the topic of conversation in smoko rooms in New Plymouth leading up to the general election and led by aspiring GM’s?

            • Anne 2.1.2.1.1.1

              I gather you haven’t been around politics for too many years Atiawa. gwwnz is correct. Boundary changes have turned many a safe Labour seat into a marginal seat at best. It has worked the other way around over the decades too, but strangely enough… not as often as Labour losing former safe or marginally Labour seats. Whether it was FPP or now under MMP, boundary changes have invariably favoured National. There have been several election outcomes in the past confirming it. 1978 and 1981 were two of the more obvious in recent decades where Labour scored significantly higher voting numbers than National yet lost the elections. I put it down to authoritarian/establishment/bureaucracy at work.

              And btw, John Key’s mother was an avid Labour supporter so it’s no big deal that Andrew Little’s mother is/was a National supporter. Perhaps there’s some portent in that for Andrew.

              The fear of a Labour/Greens coalition put oil & gas exploration & dairy farming at risk.

              Oh well, Dirty Politics worked well there didn’t it. Not too surprised.

              And btw, if you read the electoral rolls, you will find there are more managers than workers in the country. I could have sworn it was the other way around but never mind… 😉

              • Atiawa

                I’m just telling it the way it was/is Anne. I live in the electorate and have more face to face conversations with people then most.
                My post was about alerting anyone prepared to listen about the personal attacks AL as a possible new leader should be prepared for. If you believe his response should be about the unfairness of boundary changes and if they hadn’t occurred the result would have been different, then you and the Phantom are living in fantasyland .
                My Labour party credentials are derived from over fifty years of involvement. Along with my elder siblings we delivered pamphlets around the then Egmont electorate for John Sneddon & Dave V? who contested elections against sitting National party MP’s Bill Sheet & Venn Young. We carried the apple box from home for John Sneddon to stand on in the main street of Hawera on a Friday night to deliver many a sterling hustings speech. We helped fund raise for the Labour party and its candidates by selling raffle tickets door to door, holding crib and 500 evenings.
                Don’t “gather” that I haven’t been around politics for too many years.

                • Anne

                  If you believe his response should be about the unfairness of boundary changes and if they hadn’t occurred the result would have been different, then you and the Phantom are living in fantasyland

                  You’re indulging in a bit of fantasyland politics there Atiawa. Has Matthew Hooton been giving you lessons in the art of ‘distraction and spin?

                  • Atiawa

                    Am I missing something here?

                    Andrew Little will be the first to acknowledge that the boundary changes had negligible impact on his vote.
                    Here’s a straight forward exercise for you Anne. Look up the polling booths between Okato (South of the Stoney River) & Opunake. Add separately the total vote for JY & AL. Subtract AL ‘s vote from JY’s = the difference as a result of the boundary change. Then get back to me and let me know if that amounts to close to 4,000+ extra votes.

                    Good luck with the math. Your spin & distraction makes Hooton a novice at the art.

              • Murray Rawshark

                Back when prostitution was illegal, everyone who worked in massage parlours used to put their occupation down as manager. New Plymouth is probably about 40 years behind, and most of the people there are probably inflating their sense of importance. Anyone who mows lawns can call themselves a manager.

                • Ron

                  Was not aware prostitution was ever illegal. Soliciting was a crime as was living off immoral earnings but not prostitution as far as I can remember

                  Back when prostitution was illegal

                  • Murray Rawshark

                    It was an illogical legal situation, where it wasn’t a crime to sell sex, as long as you didn’t make any money off it. The undercover cops who plagued massage parlours certainly didn’t think it was legal. The funny thing about them is that they were famous for keeping their watches on in the rooms, so they never had much success.

      • Pat O'Dea 2.1.3

        Its odd but I haven’t seen anyone attack Parker for not winning an electoral seat.

        Not really…. Although David Parker is also a list MP, he is the darling of the Right.

        As if to make the point; This morning Stuff.co.nz in an extraordinary piece, has not missed ‘The last chance’ to put the boot in to Little.

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/63293210/Noon-showdown-for-Labour-Party

        • Pat O'Dea 2.1.3.1

          “Unwanted by New PLYMOUTH voters….”
          ‘Unwanted’

          “The two-time failed NEW PLYMOUTH candidate….”
          ‘Double failure’

          “Should Little WIN the leadership, it will be the remarkable revival of a political CAREER nearly dealt a mortal blow in September…..”
          ‘Moribund’

          “After being soundly beaten by National’s Johnathon Young…”
          ‘Beaten’

          “he only just scraped into Parliament…”
          ‘Scraped In’

          “after waiting a humiliating two weeks for the special votes to be counted…”
          ‘Humiliated’

          Dirty politics could not have succeeded without dirty journalism.

          So now that the media has got their attack line sorted, can we expect this bile to be regurgitated at us for the next three years?

    • Cave Johnson 2.2

      And so it begins – the Herald online front page this morning “Unwanted by Taranaki voters, could Andrew Little be the next Labour leader?”

      • Cave Johnson 2.2.1

        Interesting – the pissy article in the Herald appeared at 5am. It was still there at 6.40am, but I went back at 7.20am to make a comment on it, only to find the story gone.

  3. Bill 3

    Mickey, I put up a theoretical post suggesting that if we considered all things to be equal (which they aren’t), that Nanaia would be the better choice. Not entirely sure how you interpreted that post as me supporting her to be the next leader of Labour. Anyhoe…

  4. Pat O'Dea 4

    Biology and politics may have something in common.

    Gause’s law, is a proposition that states that two species competing for the same resource cannot coexist at constant population values, if other ecological factors remain constant. When one species has even the slightest advantage or edge over another then the one with the advantage will dominate in the long term.

    Competitive exclusion principle (biology)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competitive_exclusion_principle

    The feuding over the past two years inside the Labour Party are proof positive that two distinct idealogical streams cannot exist in the same political party (niche) one or the other will become dominant.

    Which ever personality wins the leadership, will we be able to determine which species will have dominence inside the Labour Party for the medium to long term?

    Can David Parker and David Cunliffe both hold senior roles in same shadow cabinet?

    unlikely

    So whoever is demoted between these two, will give a clue to which faction has dominance.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 4.1

      What a load of rubbish.

      • Pat O'Dea 4.1.1

        All I am saying is that if Parker is in the shadow cabinet and Cunliffe is completely out, this will represent total accross the board victory for the ABC faction.

        I suppose the question is, will this result put an end to the factional infighting.

        • Ron 4.1.1.1

          I still think DC will depart sometime in next year. The party has made it pretty plain they don’t want him so why kick against the pricks, to quote scripture.

  5. Chooky 5

    I personally think Mahuta has it in her to be a great Labour Prime Minister!

    …and I think she would be a winner for Labour because of who she is and her ability to appeal to women and the old traditional Labour voter…now often unemployed or on zero contracts and struggling

    …..however I would be happy with Little as leader ( and Mahuta as a co-leader…this would really sock it to John Key and Nactional…they could only muster Bennett as a co- leader …or Collins)

    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 5.1

      I did a quick search for the year the candidates were born. Quite revealing.

      ‘New generation’ Grant is a year younger than Nanaia (welcome aboard, Nanaia).

      And Grant is only six years younger than Andrew Little, and about eleven years younger than David Parker.

  6. b waghorn 6

    Another plus for little in my view is his name has popped up quietly as a future labour leader from time to time for at least 4 or 5 years and if I’ve noticed it I’m sure plenty of others have

  7. millsy 7

    It needs to be remembered though, regardless of who wins tomorrow, the next election will be won or lost at the new leader’s first Parliament question time.

    • KJS0ne 7.1

      I hope that’s firmly tongue in cheek.

      • millsy 7.1.1

        No. It is serious. The new leader needs to do well in Question Time first off. If he/she fluffs its, then John Key will capitalise. It’s like a one day cricket match. You lose 2 or 3 wickets in the first over then you will struggle throughout the match. Especially against an opponent with a good track record.

        • Liberal Realist 7.1.1.1

          Bang on! The MSM vultures will be circling the house.

          Should the new leader screw up an any way (I mean ANY) you watch the narrative framing commence.

  8. alwyn 8

    If one is to believe Ipredict it is all over.
    They currently have Little at 0.87, and rising, Robertson at 0.13 (falling), Parker at 0.01 (falling) and no sign of Mahuta at all.
    When will the official result be announced, and the payout made?

    • Phil 8.1

      f one is to believe Ipredict it is all over.
      They currently have Little at 0.87, and rising

      No-one should be surprised by this. The caucus hasn’t coalesced around a single contender, the membership appears equally split, while the Unions are backing their man.

      • Colonial Rawshark 8.1.1

        I think the results tomorrow will show that the members are definitely not equally split. My pick – that there are two quite strong contenders that the membership favours ~neck and neck. And two noticeably weaker contenders.

        • weka 8.1.1.1

          Is that Little and Robertson as the strong contenders?

          • Colonial Rawshark 8.1.1.1.1

            I reckon so, although in my heart I’d love the top two membership picks to be AL and NM.

        • alwyn 8.1.1.2

          You deserve to be congratulated for this prediction.
          Absolutely spot on as far as the results went. I believe the horse-racing parlance is that Little got there “on the nod”.
          Would you like to tell me Saturday’s winning Lotto numbers?

  9. Tracey 9

    i note on rnz nine to noon when ryan describes ipredict as hootons he never corrects her. is he back financially interested?

  10. Brownie 10

    Sorry to ask this question but can you really see a statesmen like PM in the four contenders. I think we are in real trouble for 2017 and everyone seems in denial . The Labour vote was lost by working man and to quote Shane Jones a gaggle of unionists and gays won’t get them back.

    • Chooky 10.1

      well Shane Jones was hardly “statesmen like”!…and nor is Key ( he is only PM because of the dirty tricks and spinners and an acquiescent msm )

      …and yes I can see both Mahuta and Little being a statesmen like Prime Minister for New Zealand

    • Jenny Kirk 10.2

      You’ve misquoted Brownie – those are Damien O’Connors words

  11. AmaKiwi 11

    The NZ Herald endorses Grant Robertson.

    Sorry, Grant. With that endorsement I’ll have to put you at #4.

  12. paddy 12

    If Grant Robertson wins then its all over Rover. We would be in permanent opposition. Little is the only candidate who gives us a decent chance in 2017.

  13. northshoreguynz 13

    1. Little, seems like the only one who can sort out the caucus, and unite the broader left.
    2. Mahuta, mana
    3.Parker, too dry
    4. Robertson, a career rat

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    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    2 days ago
  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    2 days ago
  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    2 days ago
  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    2 days ago
  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    2 days ago
  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    2 days ago
  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic plan, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    3 days ago
  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    3 days ago
  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    3 days ago
  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    3 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    4 days ago
  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    5 days ago
  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago
  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    5 days ago
  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    7 days ago
  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    7 days ago
  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    33 mins ago
  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
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    7 days ago
  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
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    1 week ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
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    1 week ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
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    1 week ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
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    1 week ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
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    1 week ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
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    1 week ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
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    1 week ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
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    1 week ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
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    1 week ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
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    1 week ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
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    1 week ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
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    1 week ago

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